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Statement by NYU Spokesman John Beckman in Response to Statement by Chen Guangcheng

June 16, 2013
369

"From the beginning, NYU was happy to welcome Mr. Chen and his family to the US and to help them embrace the beginning of their new life. We are very discouraged to learn of Mr. Chen's statement, which contains a number of speculations about the role of the Chinese government in NYU's decision-making that are both false and contradicted by the well-established facts.

“NYU has been an extraordinarily generous host to Mr. Chen during his time on campus, providing the Chens with housing, food, health care, and insurance, specially arranged tutorials in law, translation services, staff, support for the family, English lessons, connections to a publisher who furnished a large advance, opportunities for Mr. Chen to pursue his advocacy, and help in looking for a new apartment.

"Mr. Chen’s fellowship at NYU and its conclusion have had nothing to do with the Chinese government. All fellowships come to an end. Even before his arrival, Mr. Chen’s fellowship was discussed as a one-year experience. Mr. Chen now has two extremely attractive offers for his next institutional affiliation. We began talking with the Chens about the coming transition in their living arrangements months ago, not because of some fictional 'pressure' from China, but so that they could use the months to make their transition a smooth one. It is disappointing to us that that period was not used more wisely.

“We were glad to have the Chens as members of our community, and we are very sympathetic to the difficulties of a family that had to leave their homeland and start life over in a new country with a different language. NYU believes it has been generous in supporting this family, and we are puzzled and saddened to see these false claims directed at us. We will, nonetheless, continue to work with the Chens to help them with their transition."